Program Overview

Introduction to Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology involves the application of science from a wide range of psychology subfields, including industrial/organizational (I-O) psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, human factors, health psychology, and program evaluation.

Program Objectives

Students completing the Applied Psychology Ph.D. program will have the ability to:

• Apply knowledge of subject matter within the field of applied psychology, specifically applied social/I-O psychology and applied cognitive psychology.
• Utilize research and critical thinking skills to apply the science of applied psychology to industry- and every-day-focused challenges, solutions, and outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with scientists and non-scientists alike as determined by the context.
• Independently identify, explain, and develop scholarship (professional or research-based), including a clear plan for addressing research- and practice-driven questions.
• Exhibit ethical and professional conduct, both in academic and in industry-based roles.
• Promote a climate of inclusion and engage with diverse members of a variety of communities.

Curriculum

The doctoral curriculum includes two tracks:

Applied Social/Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Applied Social/Industrial-Organizational Psychology focuses on societal and organizational/workplace systems and structures that influence individuals, particularly employees, as well as the ways in which individuals impact and influence their organizational/workplace/societal institutions too.

Applied Cognitive Psychology

Applied Cognitive Psychology focuses on the application of foundational cognitive processes (e.g., attention, sensation, perception, motivation, rationality, decision-making, neurological processes, etc.) to real-world challenges and solutions (e.g., by improving health, improving technology, and improving socio-technical systems such as institutions). Within the Applied Cognitive Psychology Track, students are also able to choose a particular concentration:

• Cognition & health
• Cognition & technology
• Cognition & organizations

Program Requirements

Either track (Applied Social/I-O Psychology or Applied Cognitive Psychology) will require 72 hours of graduate credit. For students who enter the program directly with a baccalaureate degree, this will include:

• A minimum of 40 credit hours of 4000-, 5000-, and 6000-level lecture courses
• A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate research (the remaining 2 credit hours can either be research credit or curriculum credit as determined by the student's degree plan)
• A minimum of 15 lecture credit hours (of the 40 total credit hours) should be completed in 6000-level courses

For students who enter with a master's degree in a related field, they can receive up to 30 credits toward the 72-credit requirement. In line with graduate degree requirements, they will be required to complete:

• An additional minimum of 12 credit hours of 4000-, 5000-, and 6000-level lecture courses
• 24 credit hours of research
• A minimum of 9 lecture credit hours (of the 12 credit hours required to be completed) should be completed in 6000-level courses

Evaluation and Assessment

• A qualifying exam will be successfully completed no later than the end of the fifth semester of enrollment
• A plan of study will be approved by a student's advisory committee by the end of the semester in which the qualifying exam is passed
• A comprehensive exam will be completed after the student has completed at least 50% of the coursework
• Upon conclusion of the research, the student will complete a written dissertation and successfully defend it in an oral defense